COUNTY GOVERNMENT
MONTGOMERY COUNTY COUNCIL
Each year, more than 13 million park visitors enjoy a
wide variety of popular and attractive facilities including:
• national award-winning gardens
• conference and meeting centers
• individual and group picnic areas
• children’s playgrounds, carousel and miniature trains
• hiker/biker, equestrian and pedestrian trails
• riding stables, ice skating rinks and
in-line skating rink
• indoor and outdoor tennis and basketball courts
• ballfields (soccer, football, baseball and softball)
• nature centers, recreation centers and campgrounds
• dog exercise areas
• and more.
You’re encouraged to participate in the future of your
parks by reviewing the parks’ construction budget called
the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) and all
proposed park plans, then testifying before the Planning
Board or in writing.
See A Resident’s Guide to Montgomery County Parks
brochure for more details, or call 301-495-2595 for
information and 301-495-2525 or 301-495-2480 for park
permits.
PARK POLICE ENSURE PARK SAFETY
301-949-8010, TTY 301-942-1645
(Emergencies 301-949-3010)
Adequate security helps ensure that our residents feel
safe using our parks. To that end, the nationally
accredited Maryland-National Capital Park Police
division keeps order and prevents crime within the park
system and on park roads, working closely with the
Montgomery County Police Department.
THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION
240-777-7900
The County Council appoints the Planning Board with
the consent of the County Executive, and the Council sets
priorities for the Planning Board. Each year the Council
approves the Board’s operating budget and work
program. Twice a year, the Council reviews the
Commission’s work program and may revise priorities to
meet current needs or change requirements.
The nine-member County Council includes four at-
large and five district Councilmembers. Voters
throughout the County elect the four at-large members,
while the five district members must reside in the district
they represent and are elected only by the voters from
their Council district.
COUNTY EXECUTIVE
240-777-2500
Article 2 of the Montgomery County Charter describes
the Executive Branch and gives executive power to a
County Executive, elected by the voters of the entire
County. Provisions for the Executive’s role in the
planning, zoning and subdivision processes are included
in Article 28. Each year, the County Executive reviews
the Commission’s budget and makes recommendations to
the County Council on that budget. However, the County
Council makes the final decision to approve the
Commission’s work program and budget. Residents have
many opportunities to participate in these processes.
WE WELCOME YOUR INPUT
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning
Commission and its Montgomery County Planning Board
encourage you to participate in all the processes for
zoning, planning, subdivision, park operations and other
matters.
The Maryland-National Capital
Park and Planning Commission
8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-495-4600, www.mc-mncppc.org
M-NCPPC encourages the participation of all
individuals in its programs and services. For
accommodations, please call 301-495-4600,
TTY 301-495-1331.
February 2007
A RESIDENT’S GUIDE TO THE
Park and Planning Commission in Montgomery County
8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, 301-495-4600, TTY 301-495-1331, www.mc-mncppc.org
This is one in a series of brochures designed to help you
participate in the land use planning, park planning, zoning and
subdivision processes for your Montgomery County
community. The Maryland-National Capital Park and
Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) and its Montgomery
County Planning Board value your input and encourage your
participation in their processes. We hope you will find the
information useful in learning how to present your views
effectively and contribute positively to the future development
of your neighborhood and your County.
This brochure will give you some basic information about
the Commission and its planning, zoning and parks in
Montgomery County.
NEED DETAILS RIGHT NOW?
• Community Outreach and Media Relations,
Room 211, 8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD
301-495-4600, TTY 301-495-1331
• Land Use Information, Master Plans, Publications,
Subdivision Records and Zoning, 2nd floor,
301-495-4610
• Employment Office, 6611 Kenilworth Avenue,
Riverdale, MD, 301-454-1411
• Park Information and Customer Service Office,
9500 Brunett Avenue, Silver Spring, MD,
301-495-2595
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PLANNING BOARD
301-495-4605, FAX 301-495-1320
E-mail: mcp-chairman@mncppc-mc.org
In Montgomery County, The Maryland-National
Capital Park and Planning Commission operates through
a five-member Planning Board which has full and final
authority to administer the Subdivision Ordinance, the
site plan review process, and the optional method of
development process in Montgomery County; and for
planning, acquiring, developing, maintaining and
operating the County’s extensive park system. (See A
Resident’s Guide to Montgomery County Parks and the
Subdivision and Site Plan Review Processes brochures.)
In addition, the Planning Board:
• Prepares master plans that provide a vision for
change and growth over a 20-year period for the
County Executive’s review and County Council’s
consideration and approval. (See A Resident’s
Guide to the Land Use Master Planning Process
brochure for more details;)
• Advises the Council on text changes to the Zoning
Ordinance. (See A Resident’s Guide to Zoning of
Land in Montgomery County brochure for details;)
• Makes recommendations to the County Hearing
Examiner on applications for zoning map
amendments, which are changes to the zoning for
specific properties outside the master plan context;
• Makes recommendations to the Board of Appeals
on applications for special exception land uses and
variances to the standards;
• Makes recommendations to local, state and federal
agencies on their construction projects in
Montgomery County. These items are called
“mandatory referrals.” (See A Resident’s Guide to
Mandatory Referral Review of Public Land Uses.)
The Planning Board meets every Thursday, and at
other times as needed, to act on park plans, preliminary
plans of subdivision, site plans, zoning applications,
master plans and other matters. You should consult the
Planning Board’s weekly agenda (see next page) if you
want to find out when the Board will review specific
items. The Board encourages residents to participate by
writing letters and testifying in person.
When the Planning Board makes decisions pertaining to
subdivision plans, site plans and project plans (see the
Subdivision and Site Plan Review Processes brochures),
the proposals are subject to ex-parte provisions and
Board members cannot speak to anyone on these issues
outside the public record. This means that residents
wishing to express their views on these issues should not
attempt to communicate directly with members of the
Planning Board, but should submit oral or written
testimony for the public record at the appropriate
Planning Board hearing. Letters may be submitted in
advance of the public hearing and will be included in the
public record.
 The Planning Board’s weekly agenda is available
online (www.mc-mncppc.org) and copies are mailed to
County civic/homeowners associations and any other
group or individual who asks to be placed on the mailing
list. The Commission’s Development Review division
maintains and updates the agenda mailing list. Adjoining
and confronting property owners who will be affected by
a subdivision or other development activity also receive
official notice from the staff. You’re encouraged to find
out about items coming before the Board by reviewing
the weekly agenda or by calling 301-495-4600 and to
testify before the Board or submit comments in writing.
PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS
The five members of The Maryland-National Capital
Park and Planning Commission’s Montgomery County
Planning Board are appointed for staggered four-year
terms. Planning Board members may serve a maximum
of two full paid terms and no more than three members
may belong to the same political party. The Montgomery
County Council appoints and the County Executive
confirms all members of the Board.
For more information about individual Planning Board
members, visit our website at www.mc-mncppc.org. To
assist the Board, the Commissioners' Office includes
Community Outreach and Media Relations, the
Chairman’s Office and the Technical Writers.
THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL
PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning
Commission (M-NCPPC or the Commission) welcomes
residents’ participation in planning for the orderly
physical development of Montgomery and Prince
George’s Counties in Maryland. M-NCPPC enjoys a
long history of award-winning programs and excellent
service to both Counties.
In 1927, the Maryland legislature created M-NCPPC to
acquire land and implement plans for a system of parks
and conservation areas, to determine the location of
highways, to exercise control of the subdivision of land
and to implement zoning regulations. Maryland State
Law (Article 28, known as the Regional District Act)
provides the basic planning and zoning authority for The
Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning
Commission. On this authority, the M-NCPPC and the
County Councils, acting as a District Council for each
County, exercise their various planning and zoning
powers.
M-NCPPC has 10 Commissioners, five appointed by the
Montgomery County Council and five by the Prince
George’s County Executive. Meeting on the third
Wednesday of most months, the five Commissioners
from each County together serve as the Commission.
The Planning Boards meet separately to facilitate, review
and administer the land use matters affecting only their
respective Counties. To carry out their functions, the
County Planning Boards meet separately on Thursdays at
8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring and 14741 Governor
Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro, respectively. THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK & PLANNING COMMISSION
Each year, the County Councils approve the ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
Commission’s operating budget and set priorities for the
Planning Boards’ park and planning work programs. The
Councils also approve the six-year Capital Improvements
Program (CIP) budget.
MONTGOMERY PRINCE GEORGE’S
COUNTY GOVERNMENT COUNTY GOVERNMENT
The Commission handles regional planning and park M-NCPPC
matters and decides on administrative policies of interest
to both Counties. The Chairs of each Planning Board PLANNING BOARD PLANNING BOARD
serve full time and act as Chair and Vice Chair of the
Commission on an annual rotating basis. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
M-NCPPC’S MONTGOMERY COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND COMMISSIONER’S DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING PARKS AND PLANNING COMMISSIONERS’
PLANNING DEPARTMENT OFFICE PARKS DEPARTMENT RECREATION DEPARTMENT OFFICE
DEPARTMENT
The Montgomery County Department of Parks and
Planning Department perform the detailed staff work in
long-range master planning, transportation and DEPARTMENT OF
environmental planning, park planning and development, FINANCE HUMAN RESOURCES LEGAL
DEPARTMENT AND MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
park operations and maintenance, zoning, demographics
and other research, historic preservation and community
outreach. In addition, regulatory responsibilities include
preliminary plans of subdivision, site plans, project plans,
and record plats, plus mandatory referrals, special
exceptions, technical briefings and other work for the
Montgomery County Planning Board. (See the entire
series of A Resident’s Guide brochures for a more
complete overview of the Montgomery County
Department of Parks and Planning Department’s work.)
Department of Parks Planning Department
YOUR PARK SYSTEM
301-495-2500 Mary Bradford, Director of Parks, 301-495-2500 Faroll Hamer, Acting Director,
Central Maintenance Division, 301-670-8100 Planning Department, 301-495-4500
In addition to land use, subdivision and zoning, the Natural Resources Division, 301-650-2600 Bill Mooney, Acting Deputy Director, 301-495-4510
Montgomery County Planning Board plans, acquires, Northern Region, 240-773-3400 Community-Based Planning Division, 301-495-4555
develops, maintains and operates Montgomery County’s Park Development Division, 301-495-2535 Countywide Planning Division, 301-495-4540
highly acclaimed park system, including more than Park Planning and Resource Analysis 301-650-4370 Development Review Division, 301-495-4595
32,900 acres of parkland in 395 parks. Two-thirds of the Park Police Division, 301-949-8010 Management Services Division, 301-495-4560
land in regional parks remains undeveloped and in a Southern Region, 301-299-1971 Research and Technology Center, 301-495-4700
natural state to help protect our environment. Terry Brooks, Special Program Coord., 301-495-4726 Strategic Planning Division, 301-495-4509
Together with conservation areas and stream valley Park Information and Customer Service Office Community Outreach and Media Relations 301-495-4600
parks, the regional parks provide a significant amount of 301-495-2595
undisturbed natural area for public enjoyment and
environmental protection.
 The Planning Board’s weekly agenda is available
online (www.mc-mncppc.org) and copies are mailed to
County civic/homeowners associations and any other
group or individual who asks to be placed on the mailing
list. The Commission’s Development Review division
maintains and updates the agenda mailing list. Adjoining
and confronting property owners who will be affected by
a subdivision or other development activity also receive
official notice from the staff. You’re encouraged to find
out about items coming before the Board by reviewing
the weekly agenda or by calling 301-495-4600 and to
testify before the Board or submit comments in writing.
PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS
The five members of The Maryland-National Capital
Park and Planning Commission’s Montgomery County
Planning Board are appointed for staggered four-year
terms. Planning Board members may serve a maximum
of two full paid terms and no more than three members
may belong to the same political party. The Montgomery
County Council appoints and the County Executive
confirms all members of the Board.
For more information about individual Planning Board
members, visit our website at www.mc-mncppc.org. To
assist the Board, the Commissioners' Office includes
Community Outreach and Media Relations, the
Chairman’s Office and the Technical Writers.
THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL
PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning
Commission (M-NCPPC or the Commission) welcomes
residents’ participation in planning for the orderly
physical development of Montgomery and Prince
George’s Counties in Maryland. M-NCPPC enjoys a
long history of award-winning programs and excellent
service to both Counties.
In 1927, the Maryland legislature created M-NCPPC to
acquire land and implement plans for a system of parks
and conservation areas, to determine the location of
highways, to exercise control of the subdivision of land
and to implement zoning regulations. Maryland State
Law (Article 28, known as the Regional District Act)
provides the basic planning and zoning authority for The
Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning
Commission. On this authority, the M-NCPPC and the
County Councils, acting as a District Council for each
County, exercise their various planning and zoning
powers.
M-NCPPC has 10 Commissioners, five appointed by the
Montgomery County Council and five by the Prince
George’s County Executive. Meeting on the third
Wednesday of most months, the five Commissioners
from each County together serve as the Commission.
The Planning Boards meet separately to facilitate, review
and administer the land use matters affecting only their
respective Counties. To carry out their functions, the
County Planning Boards meet separately on Thursdays at
8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring and 14741 Governor
Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro, respectively. THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK & PLANNING COMMISSION
Each year, the County Councils approve the ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
Commission’s operating budget and set priorities for the
Planning Boards’ park and planning work programs. The
Councils also approve the six-year Capital Improvements
Program (CIP) budget.
MONTGOMERY PRINCE GEORGE’S
COUNTY GOVERNMENT COUNTY GOVERNMENT
The Commission handles regional planning and park M-NCPPC
matters and decides on administrative policies of interest
to both Counties. The Chairs of each Planning Board PLANNING BOARD PLANNING BOARD
serve full time and act as Chair and Vice Chair of the
Commission on an annual rotating basis. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
M-NCPPC’S MONTGOMERY COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND COMMISSIONER’S DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING PARKS AND PLANNING COMMISSIONERS’
PLANNING DEPARTMENT OFFICE PARKS DEPARTMENT RECREATION DEPARTMENT OFFICE
DEPARTMENT
The Montgomery County Department of Parks and
Planning Department perform the detailed staff work in
long-range master planning, transportation and DEPARTMENT OF
environmental planning, park planning and development, FINANCE HUMAN RESOURCES LEGAL
DEPARTMENT AND MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
park operations and maintenance, zoning, demographics
and other research, historic preservation and community
outreach. In addition, regulatory responsibilities include
preliminary plans of subdivision, site plans, project plans,
and record plats, plus mandatory referrals, special
exceptions, technical briefings and other work for the
Montgomery County Planning Board. (See the entire
series of A Resident’s Guide brochures for a more
complete overview of the Montgomery County
Department of Parks and Planning Department’s work.)
Department of Parks Planning Department
YOUR PARK SYSTEM
301-495-2500 Mary Bradford, Director of Parks, 301-495-2500 Faroll Hamer, Acting Director,
Central Maintenance Division, 301-670-8100 Planning Department, 301-495-4500
In addition to land use, subdivision and zoning, the Natural Resources Division, 301-650-2600 Bill Mooney, Acting Deputy Director, 301-495-4510
Montgomery County Planning Board plans, acquires, Northern Region, 240-773-3400 Community-Based Planning Division, 301-495-4555
develops, maintains and operates Montgomery County’s Park Development Division, 301-495-2535 Countywide Planning Division, 301-495-4540
highly acclaimed park system, including more than Park Planning and Resource Analysis 301-650-4370 Development Review Division, 301-495-4595
32,900 acres of parkland in 395 parks. Two-thirds of the Park Police Division, 301-949-8010 Management Services Division, 301-495-4560
land in regional parks remains undeveloped and in a Southern Region, 301-299-1971 Research and Technology Center, 301-495-4700
natural state to help protect our environment. Terry Brooks, Special Program Coord., 301-495-4726 Strategic Planning Division, 301-495-4509
Together with conservation areas and stream valley Park Information and Customer Service Office Community Outreach and Media Relations 301-495-4600
parks, the regional parks provide a significant amount of 301-495-2595
undisturbed natural area for public enjoyment and
environmental protection.

Each year, more than 13 million park visitors enjoy a
wide variety of popular and attractive facilities including:
• national award-winning gardens
• conference and meeting centers
• individual and group picnic areas
• children’s playgrounds, carousel and miniature trains
• hiker/biker, equestrian and pedestrian trails
• riding stables, ice skating rinks and
in-line skating rink
• indoor and outdoor tennis and basketball courts
• ballfields (soccer, football, baseball and softball)
• nature centers, recreation centers and campgrounds
• dog exercise areas
• and more.
You’re encouraged to participate in the future of your
parks by reviewing the parks’ construction budget called
the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) and all
proposed park plans, then testifying before the Planning
Board or in writing.
See A Resident’s Guide to Montgomery County Parks
brochure for more details, or call 301-495-2595 for
information and 301-495-2525 or 301-495-2480 for park
permits.
PARK POLICE ENSURE PARK SAFETY
301-949-8010, TTY 301-942-1645
(Emergencies 301-949-3010)
Adequate security helps ensure that our residents feel
safe using our parks. To that end, the nationally
accredited Maryland-National Capital Park Police
division keeps order and prevents crime within the park
system and on park roads, working closely with the
Montgomery County Police Department.
COUNTY GOVERNMENT
MONTGOMERY COUNTY COUNCIL
240-777-7900
The County Council appoints the Planning Board with
the consent of the County Executive, and the Council sets
priorities for the Planning Board. Each year the Council
approves the Board’s operating budget and work
program. Twice a year, the Council reviews the
Commission’s work program and may revise priorities to
meet current needs or change requirements.
The nine-member County Council includes four at-
large and five district Councilmembers. Voters
throughout the County elect the four at-large members,
while the five district members must reside in the district
they represent and are elected only by the voters from
their Council district.
COUNTY EXECUTIVE
240-777-2500
Article 2 of the Montgomery County Charter describes
the Executive Branch and gives executive power to a
County Executive, elected by the voters of the entire
County. Provisions for the Executive’s role in the
planning, zoning and subdivision processes are included
in Article 28. Each year, the County Executive reviews
the Commission’s budget and makes recommendations to
the County Council on that budget. However, the County
Council makes the final decision to approve the
Commission’s work program and budget. Residents have
many opportunities to participate in these processes.
WE WELCOME YOUR INPUT
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning
Commission and its Montgomery County Planning Board
encourage you to participate in all the processes for
zoning, planning, subdivision, park operations and other
matters.
The Maryland-National Capital
Park and Planning Commission
8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-495-4600, www.mc-mncppc.org
M-NCPPC encourages the participation of all
individuals in its programs and services. For
accommodations, please call 301-495-4600,
TTY 301-495-1331.
February 2007
THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION
A RESIDENT’S GUIDE TO THE
Park and Planning Commission in Montgomery County
8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, 301-495-4600, TTY 301-495-1331, www.mc-mncppc.org
This is one in a series of brochures designed to help you
participate in the land use planning, park planning, zoning and
subdivision processes for your Montgomery County
community. The Maryland-National Capital Park and
Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) and its Montgomery
County Planning Board value your input and encourage your
participation in their processes. We hope you will find the
information useful in learning how to present your views
effectively and contribute positively to the future development
of your neighborhood and your County.
This brochure will give you some basic information about
the Commission and its planning, zoning and parks in
Montgomery County.
NEED DETAILS RIGHT NOW?
• Community Outreach and Media Relations,
Room 211, 8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD
301-495-4600, TTY 301-495-1331
• Land Use Information, Master Plans, Publications,
Subdivision Records and Zoning, 2nd floor,
301-495-4610
• Employment Office, 6611 Kenilworth Avenue,
Riverdale, MD, 301-454-1411
• Park Information and Customer Service Office,
9500 Brunett Avenue, Silver Spring, MD,
301-495-2595
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PLANNING BOARD
301-495-4605, FAX 301-495-1320
E-mail: mcp-chairman@mncppc-mc.org
In Montgomery County, The Maryland-National
Capital Park and Planning Commission operates through
a five-member Planning Board which has full and final
authority to administer the Subdivision Ordinance, the
site plan review process, and the optional method of
development process in Montgomery County; and for
planning, acquiring, developing, maintaining and
operating the County’s extensive park system. (See A
Resident’s Guide to Montgomery County Parks and the
Subdivision and Site Plan Review Processes brochures.)
In addition, the Planning Board:
• Prepares master plans that provide a vision for
change and growth over a 20-year period for the
County Executive’s review and County Council’s
consideration and approval. (See A Resident’s
Guide to the Land Use Master Planning Process
brochure for more details;)
• Advises the Council on text changes to the Zoning
Ordinance. (See A Resident’s Guide to Zoning of
Land in Montgomery County brochure for details;)
• Makes recommendations to the County Hearing
Examiner on applications for zoning map
amendments, which are changes to the zoning for
specific properties outside the master plan context;
• Makes recommendations to the Board of Appeals
on applications for special exception land uses and
variances to the standards;
• Makes recommendations to local, state and federal
agencies on their construction projects in
Montgomery County. These items are called
“mandatory referrals.” (See A Resident’s Guide to
Mandatory Referral Review of Public Land Uses.)
The Planning Board meets every Thursday, and at
other times as needed, to act on park plans, preliminary
plans of subdivision, site plans, zoning applications,
master plans and other matters. You should consult the
Planning Board’s weekly agenda (see next page) if you
want to find out when the Board will review specific
items. The Board encourages residents to participate by
writing letters and testifying in person.
When the Planning Board makes decisions pertaining to
subdivision plans, site plans and project plans (see the
Subdivision and Site Plan Review Processes brochures),
the proposals are subject to ex-parte provisions and
Board members cannot speak to anyone on these issues
outside the public record. This means that residents
wishing to express their views on these issues should not
attempt to communicate directly with members of the
Planning Board, but should submit oral or written
testimony for the public record at the appropriate
Planning Board hearing. Letters may be submitted in
advance of the public hearing and will be included in the
public record.